The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-23
r. G. Dun & Co.'s Weekly Review.

NEW YORK, April pr G. Dun & Co.'S
weekly review of trade says: Unusual weather
hinders trade Extensive snow storms late in
April, with strips and patches of snow still on
the ground at this date around New York, &C
count for not little embarrassment in various
branches of business. 1t is a compromising fact
that the long drought at the West is broken, and
copous rains help crop prospects But the out
look in dry goods is especially affected by
sonable weather, which ADDS to apparent depres-
sion caused by unwonted purchases of stocks
last month, in order to anticipate changes of
rates. The market for woolens drags and is un-
satisfactory, and, while cotton staples are firm,
print-cloths are weaker. Raw cotton does not
advance. though receipts are small and wool has
been weak, though hope is expressed that the
bottom has been touched.
Iron is dull at Philadelphia, with prices of
some grades marked down there and at Pitts
burg; bar is lower, and the entire market fever
ish, with symptoms of weakness. Wheat is
held by a reported corner, but has scarcely ad-
vanced shade. Pork products are a little
weaker, and oil is dull. Coffee has been sud
denly advanced a cent by speculative methods.
Leather is in better demand, boot and shoe
orders having decidedly improved. The rubber
market is excited Stocks have turned down
half dollar per share.
For much of the embarrassment the changes
in rail rates under the interstate act are respon-
sble. Many think, as the commission ap-
parently does. that the railroads have made the
law an excuse for unnecessary advances in rates.
but the broad fact remains that q great part of
the business of the country has been built up
under system of special rates to encourage
especial localities or trades. The chief intent
of the act is to prohibit such special favors. An
inevitable result is that the industries and bust
ness of a great number of places are disturbed.
Foreign and interior trade continue fairly act
i've. Exports from New York show an increase
of IL per cent. over last year, but are declining
against increase of u per cent in imports,
with an advancing tendency. At some South
ern points business is SO dull that country mer-
chants in unusual number are asking extensions,
bus collections generally are fairly prompt.
Money would be everywhere abundant but for
extraordinary demands in real-estate specula-
ton and building. At New York alone PLANS
filed in three months call for expenditure of
500, 900 in building. and mortgages amount
to $35 600, 900 for the quarter. AT the same rate
throughout the country, new MORTGAGES would
aggregate 81. 600, 100000. ard new buildings
would cost 81. 400, 900, 900. A Chicago journal
proposed for the year. and 18, $50 miles of track
to be relad, which would cost over 5000 000 000
With such demands it is not strange that any
disturbance in the usual trade and productive
industry of the country is felt.
The business failures during the last seven
days number for the United States, Ill, and for
Canada, %, against total of 175 last week and
194 for the corresponding week of last year.